14 FEBRUARY - 11 APRIL 2026
Gallery 11 - Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA
Monday to Friday: 11 am - 4.30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am - 5.00 pm
MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO EMAIL THE SECRETARY AND REQUEST A COPY OF THE ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
Leicester's most-loved art show returns to Gallery 11 at Leicester Museum in 2026, opening to the public on Valentine's Day.
LSA invites Members to submit recent works.
The 2026 exhibition will mark the Society's 140th annual exhibition. Since 1841, LSA has held exhibitions showcasing a diverse range of contemporary works, including prints, paintings, drawings, photography, and sculpture created by its members, all of whom have strong connections to Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.
Space will be allocated to display winning entries from the Student Award 2025-26, as well as to remember and honour members who have recently passed away.
The annual exhibition has no designated theme.
Exhibitions Officer
Deborah Bird, who recently stepped down from her role as LSA Chair to concentrate on delivering the 2026 exhibition, is the Council's lead for this project. To contact Deborah, click here.
Key Dates
Entries Open: Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Deadline for Entries: 23:59 Friday, 9 January 2026
Artwork Delivery: 10:00-12:00 Monday, 9 February 2026
Exhibition Opens: Saturday, 14 February 2026
Exhibition Closes: Saturday, 11 April 2026
Award Ceremony and Private View: 7.00 pm Thursday, 12 February 2026 - TO BE CONFIRMED
Meet the Artist and Exhibition Events: More information to follow
Collection of Unsold Work: 10:00-12:00 Monday, 13 April 2026
Prizes
Prizes include: LSA George Pickard Prize £250; LSA Guy Dixon Prize £150; LSA Heaton Ellis Prize £100; LSA Douglas Smith Prize for Drawing £100; LSA Peter Carter Prize for Sculpture; and the LSA President's Prize £100.
How to Enter
To be eligible, you must pay the entry fee and submit your entry form (including images of your artwork and optional artist statement) by the entry deadline at 23:59 on Friday, 9th January 2026.
Entry Form
For security reasons, the entry form cannot be hosted on the website. It is sent directly to members via email from secretary@leicestersocietyofartists.co.uk with the subject header: 'LSA Annual Exhibition 2026 | Call for Entries'. If you need assistance filling out the entry form, require an additional copy, or a paper version, please contact: secretary@leicestersocietyofartists.co.uk
Payment of Entry Fee
The Entry Fee is £20 (for up to 3 works). To qualify for entry, the fee must be paid by the deadline of 23:59 on Friday, 9th January 2026.
We provide 3 payment options for the Entry Fee. Options 1 and 2 are LSA's preferred methods.
1. Click the button below to pay your entry fee securely online using a debit or credit card.
2. Pay by transferring funds to the Leicester Society of Artists’ bank account held at HSBC Bank plc:
Sort code: 40-32-03 Account no: 81061534
Use Reference: AE26 (followed by your artist name if it is different to the account name).
3. Pay by cheque. Make your cheque payable to 'Leicester Society of Artists', write your artist name on the back of the cheque, and post it to: LSA Treasurer, c/o 24 Colley Rise, Lyddington, Oakham, LE15 9LL.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Please read carefully the Terms & Conditions of Entry. They apply to the entry of one or more artworks into the Annual Exhibition and form the agreement between you as an exhibiting Member and LSA/Leicester Museum Services to facilitate the display and sale of artworks when you complete and submit the Entry Form.
• A maximum of three works can be entered.
• The artwork must be your original creation.
• Reproductions of originals are not allowed.
• All media are acceptable; however, we cannot accept works requiring an electricity supply.
• Digitally created original work must be printed to a high standard using archival-quality inks and papers.
• Artworks should reflect current artistic practice.
• Works should not have been previously exhibited in Leicester, Leicestershire, or Rutland (except for works shown in a solo exhibition).
• Artworks must be presented to a high standard, with both frame and artwork in good condition to withstand normal handling and display.
• The LSA Council may decide to accept or decline works during the exhibition process at the discretion of the Exhibition Lead Member.
• The Council's decision is final.
• Entrants confirm that works are not for sale, other than at Leicester Museum and Gallery (including online), during the exhibition dates.
• The sale of any artwork (including editioned prints and casts for sale) is subject to a charge of 48% by Leicester Museum Services (40% commission plus VAT on commission).
• The sale price of artworks listed on the Entry Form (including editioned prints and casts for sale) is final and cannot be changed by the Entrant; it must include frame costs and commission charges. Works that are not for sale should be clearly marked 'NFS' on the Entry Form, with an approximate insurance value only.
Size of Works
Gallery 11 offers space to showcase oversized works. Size restrictions are lifted, and instead, we provide you with guidelines to help manage expectations: LSA commits to showing at least one piece from each participating Member, and Members are encouraged to prioritise their submissions listed on the Entry Form, e.g., Entry One should be your first choice, followed by Entry Two, and so on. If a work's longest side exceeds 1.5 m, it will likely reduce the number of works we can display. Generally, works that are too heavy or large to be safely handled by two people should not be entered. Members are responsible for ensuring the safe delivery and handling of their work to Gallery 11, located on the first floor of the museum, with consideration for access points.
Sculptors
We ask you to identify your requirements for plinths and, in particular, lids and cases to accommodate 3-dimensional works by 1st December 2025. Please let us know the anticipated maximum metric dimensions so that the Museum’s technician can reserve the necessary equipment. We would also like to know your intentions to enter large floor-standing works by 1st December.
Preparation of Work
Position Mirror Plates one-third of the way down each side of the frame. Fix as far out as possible to avoid damage to frames during hanging.
Use clean and well-presented plain mirror plates of suitable size.
Cover screws with framer’s tape
Frames must be of professional quality with mounts cleanly and professionally cut
Two identification labels should be attached to the front and back of 2D works submitted and ideally underneath and securely tied to 3D works.
To download ID labels see below.
The sides of box canvases and panels must be clean and well presented.
The top of abstract work should be clearly marked on the back of the work.
Paint must be dry.
Enter clear and accurate metric dimensions (cm) on the entry form.
All finishes must be stable.
Identification Labels
To download the ID Labels follow the link here to download or print.
Artist Statement
A short (100 word) Artist Statement is optional. However, we certainly encourage you to provide one because it helps us to promote you and your work during the exhibition. You may type your statement directly into the Entry Form, or upload a document from your device.
Sale of Works | Commission Charge
The sale of any artwork (including editioned prints and casts allocated for sale) is subject to a charge made by Leicester Museum Services of 48% (i.e. 40% commission + VAT), whether the sale is as a direct or indirect result of displaying the artwork.
When setting the sale price stated on the entry form,you should take into consideration the frame, the commission charge and any VAT payable. To calculate the sale price to include the Museum’s commission charge and vat on commission use the formula:
Artist’s Price (i.e. the amount you would receive) divided by 0.52 = Selling Price. For example, if you wish to receive £250: £250 divided by 0.52 = 480.77 which can be rounded to an appropriate selling point e.g. £485.
The price stated on the entry form at Friday 9th January is set and cannot be varied by the entrant.
Unframed Editions
Editions of original prints and casts shown in the exhibition may be ordered by visitors to the exhibition and are subject to commission. State the unframed price, including UK postage and packing, and the number available for sale on the Entry Form. Following confirmation of sale entrants are responsible for despatching editioned works within 30 days or sooner.
Images and Photography
High-resolution images of artworks entered are required for the online Exhibition Catalogue. We ask you to submit a JPG(JPEG) file of at least 1.5 Mb (and no more than 5 Mb) online using the upload button on the Exhibition Entry Form. If you are unable to submit images in this way please get in touch withsecretary@leicestersocietyofartists.co.uk in the first instance.
Reproduction of the whole or any part of an image of your work may be used by LSA and Museum Servicesto promote the exhibition in perpetuity.
Visitors can take photographs in the gallery for personal and non-commercial purposes without restriction.
Insurance
During the exhibition dates, Leicester Museum Services has insurance in place for artworks on display. This covers fire, theft, and accidental damage. Leicester Museum Services is responsible for reimbursing at trade cost in the event of any loss, breakages, or damage to work during this time. However, you are advised to take out your own commercial insurance to cover work during transit to and from the gallery, as well as while it is being installed and de-installed. While your work will be treated with absolute care, LSA cannot insure work during the installation or de-installation of the exhibition and will not be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur during this time.
Delivery to Leicester Museum and Art Gallery and Collection of Unsold Artwork
Works should be unwrapped at delivery, and the packaging materials should be taken away. They should be delivered with ID labels attached and mirror plate fittings installed. We encourage the use of sustainable or recycled packaging materials.